Edmund J. Hull, former Ambassador to Yemen, discussed
Al Qaeda’s presence in the country and what potential factors the
group’s influence might have on Yemeni-U.S. relations in the future.
Extremism in Yemen and its reach abroad has come into question in light
of the attempted Christmas day bombing and the Fort Hood shooting and
has prompted discussion of possible conflict with Yemen in the near
future. Hull stated that efforts to root out Al Qaeda were strong at one
point but the recurrence of extremism is a result of the fact that “the
U.S. and Yemeni government took their eyes off the ball” subsequently
letting Al Qaeda “reconstitute itself [in Yemen].” Hull went on to
explain the situation in Yemen in further detail vis-a-vis his article
in The New York Times “Al Qaeda’s Shadowland” which debunks what Hull
calls four myths about Yemen.

http://blip.tv/play/AYHG%2BXYC

Christopher Anders, senior Legislative Counsel at the ACLU, discussed the current status of Guantanamo
Bay and the controversy surrounding allegations of secret prisons, and
the constitutionality of practices like indefinite detainment. Anders
said that the ACLU hopes the Obama
Administration will close Guantanamo Bay in the near future. He hopes
that detainees accused of terrorism crimes will be tried by the Federal
criminal court system here in the U.S. Anders added that detainees
currently being held without formal charges should be repatriated to
countries where they are no longer at risk of being tortured. Anders
also maintained that those accused of crimes relating to terrorism
should not be tried in Military courts.

http://blip.tv/play/AYHG%2BWwC

Ellen Laipson President and CEO,
Stimson Center spoke briefly about the current status of talks with
Iran, and specifically commented on the Obama Administration’s change in
policy from re-engagement to the call for regime change. Laipson, who
was recently appointed by President Obama to his Intelligence Advisory
Board said “I am not optimistic that we are close to any kind of a
breakthrough On U.S.-Iran relations right now”, said Laipson. She
Characterized the U.S.-Iran relationship as an “asymmetrical” one and
warned the U.S. should not elevate Iran to a level where they are
considered equal on a political level.